Letters to the Editor for July 30

Reykdal will work for tax reform

The upcoming primary for District 22 state representative is brimming with worthy Democratic candidates, all of whom share excellent platform issues that most citizens of Thurston County are concerned about including education, the environment and civil rights.

However, in this time of economic recession and with an increasing state deficit, how will the budgets for these concerns be maintained, and for that matter, increased?

Chris Reykdal is the only candidate for District 22 state representative who dares to answer this tricky question as a platform topic and with an unyielding answer: state tax reform.

As scary as tax discussions are during a campaign, Reykdal openly supports Initiative 1098 for a state income tax, which is a viable solution to fix our state’s deficit, as well a practical way to lower property taxes, expand tax credits for small businesses and maintain (if not increase) the state budgets for education, environmental conservation, and programs for vulnerable citizens.

Above all else, a state income tax could relieve the tax burden from the poor and the working class who are currently paying up to 20 percent of their income on taxes.

Kudos to Chris Reykdal for his political bravery in offering not just promises, but also practical solutions to the problems that we are facing within our district and state.

For this he has earned my vote and I hope the vote of everyone else who is concerned with maintaining Washington’s economic integrity and creating economic fairness for all of Washington’s citizens.

Allison Maluchnik, Olympia

A vote for Henderson is a vote for fairness

Please consider voting for Stew Henderson for state representative in District 22, position 1.

While I could write much about Henderson’s environmentally sound and socially just political views, I would rather take this time to talk about Henderson as I have known him for the past 10 years.

Henderson has dedicated his life to becoming more than the sum of his parts, and I have watched him in this endeavor. He is ever-dedicated to his roles as a loving father, a supportive husband, a compassionate friend, a skilled and visionary professional and a tireless community member faithful to all people.

I deeply admire Henderson’s ability to tease out the meaningful lessons from his life’s experiences and use them to better not only himself, but the world around him.

Henderson’s unfailing belief that we are all interdependent upon one another, and his skill at integrating this understanding into his work and personal life is heartening.

My friend Stew Henderson is creative, wise and a great lover of the natural world. Whether communicating his joy and hopefulness through music or by offering an inspirational speech to the many who support him, Stew Henderson’s enduring character shines through.

A vote for Stew Henderson is a vote for fairness, integrity and compassion.

JennyAnn Wheeler, Olympia